Conveying mechanism for harvesting machines



March 3Q, 394. R. s. :HERTZLER CONVEYING MECHANISM FOR HARVESTING MCHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed fiec.,l1, 1945' //V VE/VTOR March 30, 1948. R. s. HERTZLER fi fi CONVEYING MECHANISM FOR HARVESTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 11, 1945 2 SheetsSheet 2 //V yfA rol? Patented Mar. 30, 1948 CONVEYING'lWECHANISMFO RHARVESTING MACHINES RaIph'iSJiHertzlmElversomBaz Airplieatifinncemben. 11, 1945; Serial No; 634382 W'Glflms; (Ch-11988645):

My" invention" relates" broadly toharvesting machines; and more particularly -to' an improved construction of machine for'harvesting potatoes and other tuberous vegetables:

Oneof the objects-of mydnvention-is" to pro videanimprovedconstruction of harvester for potatoes and other tulaerousivegetablesincluding achain-type elevator" conveyor; anda" picker table havinga stone tra-p'interposed' between the elevator conveyorand the-'p'lcker'table:

Another object of, myinvention' isito *provide' anarrangement of stone trap-forharvesters: having means for"preventing obstructions such as stones" whiclr'may 'be-caught"in the" links of the elevating conveyor of the' harvester'fromdme pairingthe operation of the harvesterf Stillanother object' of" my*inventioniis';to provide an arrangement of yleldablyj' arranged obstruction relief means-"interposed"between an elevating conveyor and a--picker table conveyor for-a harvester forpreventingimpairment in the operation 'ofthe harvester- 'from" 'obstructions'ofi fered by'stones 'and'the'like'which mayjbe caught in the elevating" conveyor:

Other and further-obj ects of my invention' re side in a construction of stonetrap for harvesters assetforth more fully in the specification hereinafter following by reference "to the accompany? ingdrawings; in which:

Figu-re it 1 is a side elevational view" of a liar; vester showing theapplication of the stone-trap of my-invention theretoyFig: 2 isan'enlarged cross-sectional viewtaken through theupperpor; tion of the elevating" conveyor and an' -adja'cel'it portion of -'the picker table'or selection conveyor and illustrating the stone trap of 'my'invention interposed therebetween; Fig: 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the conveyor arrangement and stonetr'a-p illustrated in-Fig; 2'; Fig.- 4 is 'a-perspective view of the stone trap-mechanism--of' my inven: tion; and Fig. 5 is -avertical sectional view taken" substantially on'line-55 of 'Fig; 2 and illustrat ing the arrangement of sections of thestonetrap intermediate the elevating conveyor and the picker table or selection conveyor-of the -har vester.

Ref erring to the drawings in detail; reference character I designates a tractor for pulling'ath'e harvesting machine represented at 2. Theharvester may be horse" drawn where tractors j are:

notiavailable'. The harvestin'g machine-includes. a- .ch'assisz3 connectedzto 1 the rear 'of tire-tractor I 'through draw. :bar 4." The" chassis-3:is suitably supported-flat ithe z'forward en'd by a pressure roll- 2: the-harvesteris -dra-w1r over-the-field fi 'preparatory--to"-the '-'plowingof the tuberous vegetables from thefield by the plowmembers-'I'. The- 'plow members *1 1 are-supported with respect-to ch'as'sis 3 in a-mannerin wh'ich the plowing-depth: thereof may be-precisely reg-ulate'zd ion deliveringthe: tubular vegetables; the a'ssoeiatedvines-5 I and.

stones anddlrt to-the e1evatingconveyorirepree sented at 8-. The plewijng depth is' positively cent'rc-xllecl*fowaceurate-depth adj ustment inre latio-n as varied-'- growing depths-i elevati-rt q;v conveyor 8 0i thie-linl -chain type i is supported with -respeet to-the chassis 3 fo'r movemen tover sprocket wheels carried byshaft members S am-d I0 transversely-journaled' between the sidewalls II and I2 carriedlay the GHBJSSiS; The inclined elevator 'web is mounted immecliately belnnd the plo'w; Th'e length of the conveyor in relation to the extreme-height-a'nd speed of the conveyor is basie to thedesign and perforrnaneeot the han-'- vester -of my 'invention The --sh af-t' members 9' and-' It each carry sprocket wheel'sat spaced-intervalsthereofiwhich engagemlie spaced links of the chain type elea va-tingconveye'r 8-. The chain type elevating conveyor a is employed inorder =to remove -as muchas" possible 1 of th di'it and-clay -norm'ally adhering 'to the surfaeeqafithe-tuloerousivegetables by-sufiiierit agitationlof the vegetables to permit the d-i r-t and cla-y to drop throughtthe conveyor; The imiirsid ofl the'vielevatin g conveyor -8is pro-- vi'dd-lwith slack in' its -return path offitraavel and supported an intermediate positi'on sproeket wheels'-- carriedbw shaft I l,- which is journald in opposite-sides of-" chassis-:31 The chain-like elevating conveyor slacks on either sld of the 'spr'ocketwheela' carried -by:shatt I 4; as shown at I B' azicl' I 6* The elevating 'conveyor B ll-as fa'ssociated there with the pick'eri table-011. selection :conveyor 2 I 'I' also mounted for-continuous movement with re spect t'o' th'e chassi-s 3 adj acen-t the end-oi' the elevating conveyor li but appreciably-below thede@ livery end of the elevatingconveyor 8. The picker -tab-leor-=selectiom conveyor- I 1- consists ot amultiplici-tyoi transversely extending-slats -I 1Z1. spacedfrom eao-h other and-ieaeh apertured ad-'- jacent opp'osit'e ends f or the passage-v'ot interconneetingdinks I lb whic-h are looped throughapers tures' |1c. Aperturs. 'II'e servenot only as passages-for the interconnecting links IIb -Hu't also as passages'trirough "which the sprocket teeth ofare: sprocket 'wh'e'els I tie-which" -'-su'pp'ortthe picker-table on-selection conveyor n nes-1 sh af-t' r'riembrs-representedat 1 93 extend; The snare members which support the picker table or selection conveyor H are journaled between the side walls II and I2 of the chassis and serve to support through the associated sprocket wheels the picker table or selection conveyor H in a position in which the upper surface of the picker table or selection conveyor I! is substantially horizontal and in which the lower portion l'ld thereof is allowed to slack as shown;

Immediately behind the upwardlyinclined ele-l vating conveyor 8, between this and the picking table conveyor H, a stone trap is incorporated as shown more clearly in Figs. 2 and 3. This stone trap serves a triple purpose by serving as a; guide to direct the tuberous vegetables from the inclined elevator web 8 on to the picking table l1, and at the same time preventingthe yegetable I1. Its third purpose is to prevent the mechanism from jamming or stopping by allowing stones, etc., that might becomelodged between the links of the elevator Web 8, to pass through the stone trap where they. are freed by the reverse action of the links and fall to the ground. This is accomplished by virtue of the yieldability of the stone trap when pressure is applied by the lodged stone. The pressure angularly shifts the blade or surface of the stone trap, allowing the lodged stone to pass through instantly. And by means of a spring arrangement the blade or surface instantly returns to its original position thereby eliminating any appreciable loss of vegetables through the opening. The bladeor surface of the stone trap is comprised 'of one or more independent sections, so that only the surface immediately adjacent to the lodged stone is opened to allow passage of the stone. The transverse supporting rod extends substantially normal to the planes. of the side walls H and I2 of the chassis 3 and is provided with a confining head 20a on one end thereof and is screw-threaded on the opposite end thereof to receive the nut 20b. The rod member 20 serves as asupporting and journaling means for the tubular members 2| andv 22 to which are connected the flat members 23 and 24, respectively. The flat members 23 and 24 constitute chutes for directing the vegetable, vines, and such clods of dirt which may still remain by the time that the elevating conveyor 8 reaches the discharge position with respect to the picker table or selection conveyor H. The flat members 23 and 24 terminate short of the tuular members 2i and 22, enabling the tubular members 2| and 22 to project beyond the side walls Hand l2 for receiving thereon the adjustable arms 25 and 26, respectively. The arms 25 and 26 are integral with the sleeve members 25a and 26a which engage over the projecting ends of tubular members 2| and 22, respectively.

Set screws 25b and 26b, which pass through sleeves 25a and 28a, respectively, are clamped against tubular members 2| and 22 for selectively setting the arms in pre determined angular positions with respect to the planes of the flatmembers 23 and 24, respectively. The arms 25 and 26 are engaged at their ends by means of coil spring members 21 and'28, respectively, which are attached at their opposite ends to eyelet members 29 and 30 fastened to the walls I 2 and ll of the chassis. A pair of limiting stops 3| and 32 are secured through the side walls II and I2 of the chassis and serve as abutment meansfor arms 26 and 25, respectively, for limiting the normal position to which coil springs 28 and 21 are arranged to yieldably maintain fiat members 23 and 24 as shown more particularly in Fig. 2. Thus the fiat members 23 and 24 are maintained in upward position serving as chutes between the V elevating conveyor 8 and the picker table or selection conveyor I! while free to be angularly depressed to the dotted line position represented in Fig. 2 for releasing an obstruction which may be caught'between the links of the elevating chain conveyor 8.

The links of the elevating chain conveyor 8,

,While permitting the discharge of excess 'dirt and small stones, as the vegetables and vines are elevated, often catch stones, such as represented -at 33 in :Fig. 2. These obstructions, as represented by the projecting stone 33, if permitted to'strike the picker table or selection conveyor l1, might jam the machine or block the operation. The object of the stone trap, constituted by the yieldably supported flat members 23 and 24,is to prevent the blocking or jamming of the machine by obstructions offered by large stones. The stone trap is sufiicient to fill the space necessary, from a practical standpoint, between the head driving sprockets of the elevating chain conveyor} and the driving cross shaft I9 spaced from the picker table conveyor I'L' The linked type of elevating conveyor, While serving to agitate and roll over the vegetables as the elevating action continues for positively shaking off dirt, inherently involves the possible catching of stones between the links. These stones, in the course of movement of the conveyor. might occasion stoppage of themachine without the interposition of the stone trap. However, the stone trap, and particularly the sections thereof; by virtue of the yieldability' thereof, may be angularly shifted to a sufiicient degree to permit passage of the projecting stones 33 caught between the links, of the elevating conveyor 8 by momentary displacement of the stone trap. The stone trap promptly returns to its. normal position as soon as the obstruction passes, and continues to serve as a guide or chute for directing the vegetables the pickertable or selection conveyor 11.

The drive-for the elevating conveyor 8, and pickerftable or selection conveyor I1 is taken from the tractor I throughthe connection illustrated at 34. A drive shaft 35 extending from the'tractor in a substantially horizontal plane and. displaced at an angle for establishing coupling relationship with the coupling member 36 delivers power to the mechanism supported by chassis 3 adjacent one side of the chassis. The chassis 3 is provided with suitable transmission shaftsupporting means at 3'l and 38 adjacent one side of the chassis in which transmission shaft 39 is journaled. The transmission shaft 39 imparts rotary motion to the-drive pulley 40 which is provided with a grooved drivingsurface-engaging in a multiplicity of. spaced belts 4| which engagethe surface of the driven pulley42 con,- nected through shaft 43 to the transmission gear system represented as enclosed by transmission casing 44. The transmission-within transmission casing 44 is controlled by means of a gear shift lever 45 for selecting the speeds at which the elevating conveyor 8, and picker table or selection conveyor l1 are driven. The shaft member In extending from the transmission gear box 44 carposed between the transmissiondrive-shaft 39 ment of substantial obstruction in the movement of'the parts of the transmission system until the obstruction has been removed.

The operatives may conveniently stand on platforms 39 suspended on either side of the chassis 3 through depending members'fifl. The heightof the platforms 49 is such that the'operatives may conveniently reach all parts of the pickertable.

or selection conveyor II in picking up and remov ing the potatoes therefrom.

The depth at which the plow member 7 may operate is precisely controlled through an adjustment means which I have represented at 5i as including a turn-buckle screw device 52 and associated'linl; 53 at either side of the chassis 3exterior to the walls H and I2 and'connectedwith lever arms represented'at 54 extending from a shaft 55. The shaft 55 is controlled through a segmental gear 56 and lever 51 carrying a pawl engageable therewith. The adjustment means 5| thus controls the angular position of the plow members 1.

The underside of the elevating conveyor 8, which is slacked at it, serves as a ground surfaceengaging means at the lowest point of its catenary 58. The catenary portion 58 of the conveyor-thus serves as a rake or harrowing means actuallyfillin-g the furrows beyond. the plowed portion thereof.

The transmission from the tractor to the harvester in the structure of the present invention does not form a part of this particular application but is set forth in detail in a co-pending application. Accordingly, I have illustrated the transmission mechanism very generally herein as the subject matter of the instant invention is directed more particularly to the stone trap,

which has been claimed hereinafter.

The harvester of my invention is particularly intended for the harvesting of potatoes but the principles and structures of the harvester of my invention are applicable to the harvesting of any tuberous vegetable, such as, carrots, turnips, beets, or other tuberous vegetable, and I do not intend that my invention be limited in any sense to potato harvesters.

I have found the construction of harvester as set forth herein highly practical in manufacture and production and operation. I realize, however, that changes and modifications may be made and I desire that it be understood that I intend no limitation upon my invention other than may be imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

I. In a harvesting machine, an elevating chainlike conveyor, a picker table conveyor adjacent the end of said elevating chain-like conveyor and a pair of coplanar yieldably supported chutes interposed between said elevating conveyor and said picker table conveyor for normally directing delivery of material from said chain-like elevating conveyor to said picker table conveyor and each displaceable under pressure from obstructions caught in said elevating chain-like conveyor.

2. In a harvesting machine, an elevating chainlike conveyor, a picker table conveyor adjacent the end of said elevating chain-like conveyor, and a plurality of coplanar pivotally mounted chutes interposed between said elevating conveyor and delivery of material from said. chain-like-elevating conveyor to said 'picker table conveyor and the pickertable -conveyor for normally directing each displaceable 'under' pressure from" obstructions caught and carried 'by said chain-likecon veyonand spring means-for-restoring each of said chutes'from a yield-ably displaced position to'a de-- livery position;

3; Ina harvesting machine, an elevating normally directing delivery of material from said chain-like elevating conveyor tosaid picker, tableconveyor and each displaceable under pressure, from obstructions caught and carried by said, chain-like conveyor, a lever arm connected with each of said pivotally mounted-chutes, separate spring means for continuously subjecting each of said lever arms to tension for normally maintaining said chutes-in a coplanar position for directing material'fromsaid chain-like conveyor.

to said picker table conveyor, said chutes and lever arms being angularly displaceable under pressure developed by the movement of obstructions caught in and. carried'by. said chain-like conveyor, and said chutes being returnable to normal delivery position under control-of. the spring tensioned lever arms.

4. In a harvesting machine, an elevating chain-like conveyor, a picker table conveyor disposed in a position appreciably below the delivery end of said elevating chain-like conveyor and spaced therefrom a greater distance than the average size of the material to be transferred from the elevating chain-like conveyor to the picker table conveyor, a plurality of coplanar angularly displaceable chutes interposed between the upper end of said elevating chain-like conveyor and said picker table conveyor and normally closing the gap therebetween, spring means for maintaining each of said pivotally mounted chutes in a position for normally transferring material from said elevating chain-like conveyor to said picker table conveyor, said chutes being displaceable by abutment with obstructions caught in said elevating chain-like conveyor permitting the passage of such obstructions, said chutes being restorable to normal position by said spring means subsequent to the passage of such obstructions caught in and carried by said chain-like conveyor.

5. In a harvestin machine, an elevating chain-like conveyor, a picker table conveyor disposed in a position appreciably below the de-- livery end of said elevating chain-like conveyor and spaced therefrom a greater distance than the average size of the material to be transferred from the elevating chain-like conveyor to the picker table conveyor, a transversely extending bar disposed immediately over said picker table conveyor, a plurality of coplanar chutes pivoted along one horizontal edge on said bar and extending in an angularly disposed plane toward the upper end of said elevating chainlike conveyor, a lever arm associated with each of said chutes, spring means for normally maintaining each of said lever arms under tension for retaining said chutes in a position for directing delivery of material from said elevator conveyor to said picker table conveyor, said chutes being displaceable under pressure of obstructions caught in and carried by said elevating chain-like conveyor for permitting the passage of 7 such obstructions between said elevating chain-like conveyor and said picker table conveyor and said spring means operating to restore said chutes to delivery position.

6. In a harvesting machine, an elevating chain-like conveyor, a picker table conveyor disposed in a position appreciably belowthe delivery end of said elevating chain-like conveyor and spaced therefrom a greater distance than the average size of the material to be transferred from the elevating chain-like conveyor to the picker table conveyor, a bar member extending transversely with respect to said conveyors and spaced immediately above said picker table conveyor, and a multiplicity of chute sections having edge portions pivotally mounted with respect to said bar member and projecting to a position adjacent the delivery end of said elevating chain-like conveyor, spring means individual to each of said sections for allowing independent displacement of said sections under conditions of abutment of obstructions caught in and carried by said elevating chain-like conveyor, said sections each being restorable under normal conditions under the action of said spring means. 7

7. In a harvesting machine, an elevating chain-like conveyor, a picker table conveyor disposed in a position appreciably below the delivery end of said elevating chain-like conveyor and spaced therefrom a greater distance than the average size of the material to be transferred from the elevating chain-like conveyor to the picker table conveyor, a transversely extending bar spaced from said picker table conveyor in a position adjacent the end thereof, and a pair of independently movable chutes pivotally mounted on said bar and normally extending in an inclined plane toward the delivery end of said elevating chain-like conveyor for normally directing material from said elevating chain-like conveyor to said picker table conveyor, spring means for normally maintaining each of said chutes in delivery positions, said chutes being independently displaceable under conditions of abutment with obstructions caught in and carried by said elevating chain-like conveyor for permitting the free movement of said elevating chain-like conveyor, said spring means oper-' ating to restore each of said chutes to normal delivery position after the passage of the aforesaid obstruction.

RALPH S. HERTZLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 

